BC Ferries announced the Spirit of British Columbia has been removed from service, for completion of a mid-life upgrade, which includes the conversion to dual-fuel, so she can operate on liquefied natural gas or ultra-low sulphur marine diesel.
Several preparations will occur including the installation of a wave break on the main car deck forward section, marine pilot access arrangements and voyage logistical provisions. Other tasks include safety inspections and de-storing of vessel equipment that will not be required during the transit or at the shipyard site. The transit of the vessel to Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond should take approximately 42 days, depending on weather.
In 2016, BC Ferries awarded a contract to Remontowa Ship Repair Yard S.A. of Gdansk, Poland to conduct the Spirit Class mid-life upgrades, which include the conversion of both vessels to dual-fuel.
“Last fiscal year, we spent approximately $100.2 million on diesel fuel of which the two Spirit Class vessels consumed approximately 15.5 per cent,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering. “Liquefied natural gas costs significantly less than marine diesel. The conversion of the two largest ships in the fleet along with the three new dual-fuel Salish Class vessels that all entered service this year will go a long way to help both our environmental footprint and with fare affordability for our customers.”
Other planned upgrades include the renewal of navigation equipment, propulsion equipment components including rudders, steering system, bow thrusters, propeller blades, LED lighting and more efficient air conditioning equipment to reduce energy consumption.
The Spirit of British Columbia will be the first ship through the mid-life upgrade and conversion process, with the upgrade being completed from fall of 2017 through the spring of 2018. The Spirit of Vancouver Island will follow the next year from the fall of 2018 through the spring of 2019.
The company expects to reduce CO2 emissions by 12,000 tonnes annually, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 2,500 vehicles off the road per year, by using LNG for the Spirit Class vessels.
